Extremely short duration high intensity training as a cardiovascular training method for front line police officers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine if extremely short duration High Intensity Training is an effective method for Police Officers to maintain their cardiovascular fitness.Methodology12 front line, operational Police Officers (n=5 female & n=7 male) volunteered to take part in the study (age, 42 ± 7 years; height, 173.2 ± 7.7 cm; body mass, 90.5 ± 16.6 kg; VO2peak, 37.16 ± 4.65 ml kg-1 min-1). Participants’ blood pressure, critical power and VO2peak were tested across two testing days on three occasions; at the beginning of the study, post 8 weeks control and post 8 weeks High Intensity Interval Training. The High Intensity Interval training protocol consisted of 6 10 second sprints on a cycle ergometer with 30 seconds recovery between sprints. Sprints were completed against a resistance of 6.5% or 7.5% of participants’ body mass for females and male respectively. Participants’ total peak power, average power and work done were recorded across training sessions.ResultsFollowing 8 weeks of High Intensity Interval Training, there was a significant increase in VO2peak (p=0.004), total peak power (p=0.01), total average power (p=0.01) and total work done (p=0.01).There was no significant change in blood pressure, critical power or time to exhaustion; however there was an 8 ± 10% improvement in time to exhaustion.ConclusionsHigh Intensity Interval Training is a time efficient means for Police Officers to increase their cardiovascular fitness. This study contributes to current research regarding effective High Intensity Interval Training protocols. Future research should explore the long term implications of such a training protocol for Police Officers.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Masters by Research

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Abertay University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Scally, Jennifer

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Babraj, John
• Calmeiro, Luis

• High-Intensity
• Police officers
• Police fitness
• VO2peak
• Sprint training

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/686584cc-f99d-4e99-b1ae-a5d578935b98

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/686584cc-f99d-4e99-b1ae-a5d578935b98